Question:
About ten years ago, my three uncles and five aunts, including my mother, inherited my maternal grandfather’s land. My uncles took signatures for a loan, with my mother’s aunt’s husband as a witness. I recently found out that, after selling my grandfather’s land, the uncles believe that only sons should inherit, saying daughters won’t receive any share. Are daughters entitled to a share of their father’s property, and is there a way for them to claim it?
Answer:
Under Bangladeshi inheritance law, daughters do have rights to inherit their father’s property, depending on the specific personal law governing the family.
- Muslim Law
If the family follows Muslim inheritance law, daughters are entitled to inherit from their father’s estate. According to Shariah law, both sons and daughters have a share, though sons typically receive double the share of daughters. This rule ensures that all children, regardless of gender, receive a portion of the ancestral wealth. - Hindu Law
For families governed by Hindu inheritance law, daughters have rights to their father’s property under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which was updated to include daughters as equal heirs alongside sons. However, in practice, some families may still deny daughters their inheritance, though this is not legally supported. - Claiming the Share
Your mother and her sisters have a legal right to claim their share of their father’s land. They can file a claim in the civil court to demand their rightful share if their brothers are trying to prevent them from inheriting. Documented evidence, such as property deeds, loan agreements, and any signed papers related to the inheritance, will strengthen their case.